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Centrelink's robo-copout

Churchill resident Kate Zizys can empathise with Centrelink clients affected by 'robo-debt' orders for money they may not owe.

Having been in the Centrelink system on and off for most of her adult life, Ms Zizys has been forced to make inflated repayments in the past, despite going to appeal.

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Ms Zizys said jobs were scarce, even for qualified people such as herself, and the system did not take into account the nuances of modern work life.

"I don't think the system really understands the contemporary working world," she said.

"A lot of people are underemployed or they're working some of the time but then not other times, then they're working three jobs, then they're working no jobs.

"I don't think the government and those systems are acknowledging how that's panning out and how casualised the working world is now."

People working numerous jobs have also faced difficulties sourcing all the necessary documentation from various employers.

"If you're working three different casual jobs then you're paying different rates of tax as well, it gets so complicated and then they put a stupid digital system in which doesn't account for any of life's complexities," Ms Zizys said.

"It's an attack on poor people; it's an attack on the welfare system."

Ms Zizys advised anyone concerned about debt they do not believe they owe to visit www.notmydebt.com.au which offers advice on how to manage their situation and shared stories from affected clients.